Downtown Crowd, May 2023

DOWNTOWN CROWD | MAY

Morgan Cole, Editor

It’s hard to believe that it’s already May. The flowers are in full bloom, the sun is shining and we’ve actually had a chance to enjoy some nice spring weather here along the Gulf Coast for change. Fortunately, we’ve brought you an issue jam-packed with the season’s most anticipated springtime events. From three days of nonstop music at Hangout Fest to community fundraisers, exciting shows and cultural celebrations, there’s sure to be something to get you outside and enjoying some of the spring festivities our area has to offer!

In this issue, you’ll also read about the return of Pensacola Little Theatre’s annual celebration of art, Cabaret. This signature event serves as PLT’s largest annual fundraiser, where the theatre and surrounding blocks are transformed into an entertainment complex showcasing various forms of local art. Be sure to check out what’s in store for this year’s creative carouse on page 8.

In addition to the many springtime festivities to help keep you entertained, we’ve also brought you some helpful tips for making the most of your Hangout Fest experience as well as a roundup of our staff’s favorite podcasts. So, dive in and enjoy the read!

Until next time,

5 Questions With Creatives Parker

Thornton

by Nicole Willis

Local creative Parker Thornton brings pop culture characters to life in his painted wood pieces. He combines visual arts and woodworking to create vivid and intricate pieces of art. Whether you’re into superheroes, anime or music, Thornton has probably encapsulated one of your favorite characters or symbols in one of his pieces.

Thornton is active in the Pensacola arts scene; you can find him every Saturday at the Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola. If you are interested in commissioning him to create a custom piece, he also takes commission requests through his Instagram.

Let’s start with you telling me a little bit about yourself and your professional background.

I was born in Naples, FL. I moved to Pensacola in the late 90s and lived here for a few years as a child. I grew up and spent my teenage years in Tampa Bay where a lot of my influences in music, art and pop culture were solidified. After graduating high school, I moved to Gainesville, FL and studied fine arts at Sante Fe College among other things for three years. In 2016, I moved back to Pensacola to be closer to family.

Tell me a little bit about your medium of art and the different types of pieces you create.

The mediums I use most are wood (specifically birch plywood), canvas, acrylic paint and spray paint. My work is a mix of visual arts and woodworking; I like to consider my work wood pop art. My pieces and art style have largely been inspired by pop culture, beginning with comic books specifically. I have always

been obsessed with and inspired by Spiderman and other superheroes. Cartoons and comics were a huge part of my childhood. My parents would supply me with many comic books growing up. The many different cartoon shows on television in the 90s and 2000s were an infinite source of inspiration. Another huge influence on my art is music.

I had a wide variety of music played in my household, and I was always inspired by how artistic and musical expression go hand in hand. Most of my pieces reflect the comics, cartoons, music and musicians that had an impact on me growing up.

How long have you been interested in painting? How did you first get into it?

I have been interested in drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I have been drawing and creating my whole life, but I never took it too seriously. In middle school and high school, most of my friends were very creative, and that helped kindle my interest in drawing through the years. I refined my drawing and my painting while studying at Santa Fe

College in Gainesville, FL. My first influences in drawing were from my older brother; he was always a very creative person and would draw a lot growing up, which inspired me to do the same. My parents were also extremely supportive of me creating and would always supply many materials and the tools to keep me inspired.

Can you take me through your creative process and describe what all goes into creating one of your pieces?

My creative process for my wood pieces always begins with seeing a form of comic or cartoon imagery that I want to bring to life, mostly combining elements of pop art and contemporary arts. I will begin my process with a

rudimentary stencil silhouette shape. I will then input that design into a computer software and proceed to clean up the design into a more finished shape. Then, I cut the plywood using a scroll saw CNC cutting table. With the cut pieces I sand down the tops and edges. I will then sketch and draw the designs of the characters onto the wood. Next, I will paint on the wood pieces with acrylic paints. Finally, I coat the tops of the pieces in an epoxy resin to seal the paints and brighten the colors. The finished cured epoxy gives the pieces a beautiful glossy shine. Lastly, I add hardware to the backs of the pieces so they can hang on the wall. The canvas pieces also begin with a concept sketch, but it allows for a lot more creative freedom. My canvas pieces allow me to explore more imaginative and unusual designs. The ideas will change and flow a lot, so I try not to box myself into one set design. A lot of the time the painting will transform into something completely different, and that’s what I love about creating with a blank canvas.

What is your favorite character to showcase in your work? What are some of your most popular pieces or designs?

My favorite character to showcase in my work would definitely be Spiderman, as well as other heroes. I am a comic book fanatic. My most popular items are the wooden character pieces, specifically anime and comic book characters. Anime and superheroes are now more popular than ever, and everyone has their favorite character. The majority of requests I receive are someone’s favorite character made into a wooden art piece.

My work is a mix of visual arts and woodworking; I like to consider my work wood pop art.”

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Cabaret Off BROADWAY

by Morgan Cole

Pensacola

little theatre’s (Plt) annual celebration of art is back for 2023 for an evening that’s unfiltered, off-kilter and a little unhinged.

This upscale evening of black ties, luxurious gowns and avant-garde performances is making a return for Cabaret Off Broadway, set for May 6 at 7:30 pm at The Clark Family Cultural Center at 400 South Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.

Cabaret serves as PLT’s largest annual fundraiser, where Cabaret’s playhouse theme transforms the theatre and surrounding blocks into an indoor and outdoor entertainment complex, perfectly fusing local talent and celebration to showcase art as the life of the party.

“From Cabaret: Phantom of the Masquerade to Cabaret on Holiday, our team has really been able to transition the event from simply Pensacola’s biggest party to Pensacola’s biggest celebration of art. Don’t get me wrong, the party is just as big, but throughout the last decade, our staff, board and volunteers have elevated this event to a black-tie, one-of-a-kind artistic experience,” PLT Executive Director Sid Williams-Heath said.

This year’s Broadway theme will showcase iconic Broadway productions like Hamilton, Newsies, Chicago, Wicked and more. For this immersive evening of fun, guests will be surrounded by a mashup of local talents, eclectic performances and unhinged celebration. Performances will be showcased in different rooms throughout the venue and surrounding block, featuring everything from aerialists, drag performers and musicians to projectionists, flash mobs, graffiti artists and every drop of drama in between.

“While PLT is all drama all the time, our organization showcases a variety of artistic expressions, and we took our own advice this year and are getting back

to our center and our mission in its trustiest form with Cabaret Off Broadway. arts organizations to make this theme happen — from Ballet Pensacola, Gulf Breeze Aerial Arts, Perdido Performing Arts, Powell Entertainment and beyond — fuses a variety of artistic avenues to showcase local talent as the life of the party. This theme gives our artistic volunteers something to sink their teeth into and centers on what they are most passionate about: using theatre to tell a collaborative artistic story,” Williams-Heath said.

Tickets for this all-inclusive evening of art are $150 per person and include access to six open-bar venues, live music, exclusive performances, culinary art and much more.

Event sponsors will have access to an exclusive sponsor-only VIP area featuring an upscale bar and gourmet provisions.

“My family has been involved with Cabaret since its inception

Pensacola’s Annual Celebration of Art Returns for Pensacola Little Theatre’s

nearly 20 years ago, and what started as a $40,000 fundraiser has tripled over the past two decades because of the dedication of our Board of Trustees, staff, artistic volunteers and of course, the community who supports us. We couldn’t do this without the support of the community,” Susan Clark Waters, a presenting sponsor and event organizer, said.

Profits from this annual fundraiser allow PLT to continue to deliver diverse theatrical experiences to children and adults through performances, volunteer opportunities and educational outreach programs in our community.

“You come and enjoy yourself for one marvelous night that you may or may not remember, but we remember. One night funds nearly a whole year of arts programming for our nonprofit, and above all, I’m grateful that both the community and PLT get to be celebrated at Cabaret each year,” Williams-Heath said.

For tickets and complete event details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com/ cabaret. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Sid Williams-Heath at executive@pensacolalittletheatre.com.

AMAZING KIDS DAY AUTISM EVENT

REACHES MORE THAN 100 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

by Morgan Cole

WSRE PBS partnered with several local community organizations to host a free autism-friendly event for children and families on Saturday, April 1 at the WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio in Pensacola.

Organized by a group of dedicated community leaders and volunteers, the Amazing Kids Day event served as the first of its kind for WSRE PBS. Admission was limited specifically to children and family members impacted by autism.

A variety of nonprofits and community organizations also participated in the event, offering a variety of educational resources to families and activities designed for children on the autism spectrum. Participating organizations included The Arc Gateway, Autism Pensacola, Canine Companions, the Early Steps program at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, Escambia County Public Schools, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and Santa Rosa County District Schools.

“We hosted Amazing Kids Day as a free, fun-filled day especially for children identified as autistic and their families. The goal was to provide an event where children with special needs could come and explore some fun activities—like the symphony’s instrument petting zoo—while their grown-ups learned about the many resources available to them from WSRE and other community organizations,” WSRE Director of Education and Outreach Jeri Shaffer said.

WSRE also provided a number of resources for the event, including educational games and videos from favorite PBS KIDS television shows and a digital library of free educational resources from PBS LearningMedia.

Children’s programming on WSRE PBS KIDS features and portrays a number of autistic characters, including Julia on Sesame Street, Dennis Deinocheirus on Dinosaur Train, Carl on Arthur, Max on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and A.J. Gadgets from the show Hero Elementary.

“These characters and storylines help to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder in children—both autistic kids and their peers, who can learn about acceptance,” Shaffer explained.

Thanks to generous support from event sponsors, community organizations and dedicated volunteers, local children and their family members had the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of hands-on learning and fun activities in an inclusive environment.

The inaugural WSRE PBS Amazing Kids Day event turned out to be a tremendous success, reaching more than 100 local children and family members impacted by autism. As a result of the overwhelming success of the first Amazing Kids Day, WSRE will continue to partner with community organizations and sponsors to host this event on an annual basis.

“WSRE was proud to host this event to share PBS and local community resources with families as well as to foster a day of fun and educational activities in an atmosphere that was welcoming, inclusive and entertaining,” WSRE General Manager Jill Hubbs said.

Check out the @WSRE Facebook page to view photos from the event. To learn more about WSRE PBS, visit wsre.org.

COMMUNITY MESSAGE SPONSORED BY AARON ERSKINE

About WSRE: WSRE, a PBS member station licensed to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees and supported by the WSRE-TV Foundation, serves as a critical media source for trusted content and a safe media space for children to grow and learn.

by Nicole Willis & Morgan Cole

We wouldn’t have earned the nickname “Festival City of the South” if we didn’t know how to have a good time. From large-scale music, food and arts festivals to community fundraisers and eclectic celebrations, the Pensacola area has plenty of spring events that are sure to get you out of the house and outside enjoying some local fun in the sun. We’ve brought you details on some of the hottest festivals, fundraisers and cultural happenings taking place throughout the month of May.

FESTIVALS

HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL

WHEN: May 19, 20 & 21, 11 am to 11 pm

WHERE: 101 E Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL

If you live anywhere along the Gulf Coast, you have most likely heard about Hangout Music Fest. This three-day music extravaganza draws music lovers and beachgoers from across the country to the sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, AL for three full days of live music performances, food and fun.

This year’s festival is quickly approaching as some of the country’s biggest artists will be gracing the beach with their performances on May 19-21. Whether you’re a seasoned Hangout Fest vet, or you will be attending for the first time this year, we’ve brought you some details on this year’s happenings and some helpful tips to help you maximize your Hangout Fest experience.

The festival kicks off on May 19, with the gates opening at 11 am each day. Friday will bring a fun start to the weekend with artists like Tove Lo, Thundercat, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Lil Nas X. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline Friday night, playing until 11 pm. The Saturday lineup will feature a mix of artists representing all types of music genres, with AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Ferg and Paramore being some of the most notable acts. Saturday will end with a performance by popular American singersongwriter SZA. Sunday’s lineup promises to deliver an epic send off to Hangout Fest 2023, with artists such as Yung Gravy, Noah Kahan, The Kid

Laroi and Skrillex taking the stage. The crowd will go home feeling energized and hype as the festival concludes with a special set from Calvin Harris.

In addition to all of the fun promised by these amazing acts, Hangout Fest also provides guests with a variety of tasty festival foods, drinks and fun activities. Hangout Fest always hosts a large variety of local and regional food vendors; whether you’re in the mood for some deep fried American food, Asianinspired cuisine or Mexican eats, there will be something to fill every tummy. Popular brands like Malibu, Jim Beam, Corona and Jose Cuervo will be serving up boozy and beachy beverages for those ages 21 and older. Guests will also have a chance to take a ride on the popular ferris wheel to gain a bird’s eye view of the entire festival. If you’re

feeling funky, grab a pair of skates and take a spin in the roller disco rink. If you get too hot, cool down by taking a dip in the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico or a VIP swimming pool. Event organizers say that this year’s festival will allow guests more beach access than ever before, creating more space for festival-goers to spread out and soak up the sun.

Whether you are strictly attending to enjoy the music, want to relax on the beach or are looking to indulge yourself in the many activities offered on the festival grounds, Hangout Fest has something for everyone. For anything and everything Hangout Fest, visit hangoutmusicfest.com. For daily festival lineups and special announcements, check out @hangoutfest on Instagram and @hangoutmusicfestival on Facebook.

Maximize Your Hangout Fest Experience with These Helpful Tips:

1)Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Staying hydrated is the most important piece of advice that you will need regarding the Hangout Fest experience. The sun is unforgiving, so Hangout Fest has placed several water refill stations throughout the festival grounds. As soon as you enter the festival gates, locate a water station and fill up! Guests are allowed to bring an empty plastic water bottle up to two liters in size, or an empty water bladder system (think Camelbak backpacks) to fill up once inside the festival. Fill up your water bottles at meal times, between sets, or really anytime you have some extra time. Remember to drink even more water if you are planning on drinking alcohol too!

2)Prepare for the elements.

Yes, the sun will be beaming down on you. Yes, there’s going to be sand everywhere. However, with enough preparation you can brave the elements and maximize your comfort. Arguably the most important thing to bring is sunscreen. Hangout Fest allows attendees to bring in liquid sunscreen in containers that are 3 oz or smaller. Slip a little sunscreen bottle into your fanny pack and reapply regularly. Sunglasses and hats are also good things to shield you from the sun. Your footwear choice is also critical to your enjoyment of the festival. Do not wear shoes just because they are fashionable! Wear comfortable shoes that can get you through hours of walking on sand. Looking cute will not feel as good three days later when your feet still hurt.

3)Pick a meeting spot.

Are you and your bestie’s favorite artists on at the same time? Did you get separated from your group? Service can be spotty and it can be hard to find your friends in a sea of people. Having a designated meeting spot can help you reassemble the group after intentionally or unintentionally splitting up. After entering the festival and filling up your water bottles, pick a spot that your whole group can remember. Whether it’s a specific palm tree or the corner of a building, make note of it or even take a photo of the spot if you’re forgetful. With an established meeting spot, splitting up to catch different sets or accidentally getting lost can be way less stressful.

4)Ask for help if you need it.

Don’t be afraid to visit the med tent! Hangout Fest has medical tents located throughout the festival for anything and everything medical related. If you danced too hard and scraped your knee, stop by the medical tent and they will have you fixed right up and dancing once again. If you feel the effects of dehydration and think you may pass out, visit the med tent; its better to feel ill in the care of medical professionals than in a swarm of people. The medical staff are there to help fix you up so that you can get back to enjoying the festival.

5)Use the app.

The Hangout Fest app is a valuable planning tool. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, this app allows you to select the artists that you want to see and then creates a daily schedule for you, showing you the stage and time that your favorite artists are playing. The app also provides you with information about the other activities available at the festival, answers to frequently asked questions, links to all of the Hangout Fest social media pages and more. Be sure to turn your notifications on during the festival so that you will be notified of any weather warnings or set changes.

GULF COAST CULTURE FEST

WHEN: May 20 @ 10 am to 6 pm

WHERE: Seville Square & Bartram Park, downtown Pensacola

Gulf Coast Culture Fest will be a two-part festival held on May 20 at Seville Square and Bartram Park in downtown Pensacola. Admission to this family-friendly event is free and tickets are not required to attend. This event was designed to serve as a day for the entire community to come together and celebrate the many different cultures that make up our Gulf Coast community. It will bring together artists, businesses, vendors, and citizens for a rejuvenating and unifying day of art, music, dance, food and different forms of visual art.

The event will offer a little something for all ages. The first part of the festival will be held at Seville Square from 10 am to 6 pm, where local vendors, food trucks and various

P3 COMEDY FEST

WHEN: May 26, 27 & 28

WHERE: Pensacola & Pensacola Beach (multiple locations & venues)

GULF COAST HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

WHEN: May 4, 5 & 6

WHERE: OWA Parks & Resort (Foley, AL)

The 19th annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will take off May 4 through May 6 at the OWA Parks & Resort in Foley, AL. Each year, this festival offers high-flying adventure and family fun for all ages, with a variety of live entertainment, arts and crafts displays and much more. At dusk and dawn each day, balloon flights, glows and tethered rides (weather permitting) will be hosted for all to enjoy. Admission to the festival is free; however, tickets will be on sale for specific activities like the tethered balloon rides. For the complete list of activities, visit gulfcoastballoonfestival.com. For updates and announcements, follow the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

This pre-pride comedy festival will feature the best LGBTQ+ and military comedians from across the nation, as well as Canada and Japan. This year’s P3 Comedy Fest will be hosted to help raise money for The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which provides much needed counseling and financial services

HOLLOW WORLD FESTIVAL

WHEN: May 27 @ 12 pm to 5 pm

WHERE: Hunter Amphitheater, Community Maritime Park

This new music and arts festival will make its debut on May 27 at the Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park in Pensacola. This first-ever festival will feature original music from a variety of local bands and artists as well as

forms of live entertainment will be hosted for all to enjoy. That evening, there will also be a local film festival screening sponsored by Gulf Coast Short Film Fest held in Bartram Park at 8 pm. The film festival will consist of entries from both filmmakers and non-filmmakers from different backgrounds and cultures.

Gulf Coast Kid’s House is the event’s chosen charity and will receive a donation from the proceeds collected from the festival. Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a children’s advocacy center serving Pensacola and Escambia County. For more information on vendorship, entertainment, art exhibitions or sponsorship, visit gulfcoastculturefest.com.

to grieving families that lost a family member while serving in the military. Performances will be hosted at different venues located throughout Pensacola and on Pensacola Beach. Top headliners include Zack Zimmerman, Cathy Lewis and more. Single-day tickets start at $30 each. Weekend and VIP passes are also available and start at $70. For the complete lineup of weekend events and information on ticket purchases, visit the P3 Comedy Fest Facebook or Instagram page.

numerous individual booths with arts and crafts for sale. Some of Pensacola’s favorite food truck vendors will also be onsite dishing up delicious eats, with drinks will be provided by Pensacola’s own, The Handlebar. Tickets start at $25. For tickets and information, visit hollowworldfest. com. Check out @hollowworldfest on Facebook or Instagram for updates and lineup details.

FUNDRAISERS

BURGER BATTLE BY THE BAY

WHEN: May 6 @ 11 am to 2 pm

WHERE: Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park, downtown Pensacola

Hosted annually by the SubWest Rotary of Pensacola, Burger Battle by the Bay is the best backyard burger festival on the Gulf Coast. This familyfriendly day of fun includes sampling a variety of tasty fresh-grilled burgers cooked up by both professional and amateur cook teams. After enjoying a hefty sampling of delicious burgers, attendees will have a chance to cast their vote for the tastiest burger. All proceeds from this event directly benefit the community service projects of the Pensacola SubWest Rotary Foundation and the Cordova Rotary Club. The Rotary has previously supported local organizations like Gulf Coast Kid’s House and Take Stock in Children through this community event. Tickets for this day of tasty fun are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Kids under the age of 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Each paid admission includes a

complimentary bottle of water. Cool treats from Turtle Roll Homemade Ice Cream & Shaved Ice will also be available for purchase at the event. This year’s official panel of judges includes Chef Darian Hernandez, previous winner of Food Network’s Chopped TV show and Executive Chef at Brother Fox; Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons; Co-Founder and Vice President of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Foundation and General Manager at Gilmore, Whitney Lucas; retired Waffle House President & COO Bert Thornton; Pensacola State College President Dr. Ed Meadows and Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Board, Walker Wilson. To purchase tickets and for more information on the 2023 Burgeruger Battle by the Bay, visit burgerbattlebythebay.com.

THE BIG SCOOP

WHEN: May 13 @ 2 pm to 4 pm

WHERE: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St., downtown Pensacola

Don’t miss the sweetest event in town! Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida for their Big Scoop fundraising event to be hosted May 13 from 2 pm to 4 pm at historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. The entire community is invited to take part in this ice cream social event in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Guests will be able to indulge in all-youcan-eat ice cream and can enjoy games, activities, arts and crafts and more. Damian’s Enterprises, Inc. will be on site serving up multiple flavors of tasty ice cream and popsicles. Lamonte Gelato and Whim Cotton Candy will also be at the event handing out samples of their signature treats. Members of the Pensacola Fire

Department will also be on-hand to educate the public about available services and fire safety, as well as a representative from Ascension Sacred Heart, who will offer custom fittings for bike helmets. Tickets to Big Scoop are $10 for adults and children 12-years-old and up; $5 for children ages 4 to 11; Free for children ages 3 and under and “Littles” (please show your Magic Card). For tickets and event information, visit bbbsnwfl.org.

All proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and their mission to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Lori Oswald at loswald@bbbsnwfl.org.

ARTS, CULTURE & MORE

HOT GLASS COLD BREW: CARIBBEAN NIGHTS

WHEN: May 5 @ 5:30 pm & 6 pm

WHERE: First City Art Center, 1060 N Guillemard St., Pensacola

PENSACOLA TATTOO EXPO

WHEN: May 5, 6 & 7

WHERE: Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I St., Pensacola

Hosted by Ink Masters Tattoo Show, the 5th annual Pensacola Tattoo Expo will feature live tattooing all weekend by more than 100 awardwinning tattoo artists from across the country. This small and semi-intimate expo, brings a variety of talented tattoo artists to one location to meet all of your tattoo needs. There will be a variety of styles represented at the event, ranging from realism and traditional to black, gray and fullcolor tattoos. You must be at least 18 years of age to attend or enter the event. Walk-up clients for on-the-spot tattooing are welcome throughout the weekend. Simply bring in your references and ideas or choose one of our artist’s custom drawings. Tickets are $20 per-day and weekend passes are available for $35 each. Tickets will be on sale at the door the day of the event. For more information, visit worldtattooevents.com/ pensacola-tattoo-expo.

Hot Glass Cold Brew is heating up for a big return on May 5 with an all-new Caribbean Nights theme. Hosted annually at First City Art Center in downtown Pensacola, this eclectic event features an evening of celebrating art, community and supporting local artists of all mediums. The event will feature an evening of glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, live music, an art market, kids activities, a gallery opening showcasing works from FCAC’s Gallery 1060 artists and more. Some of Pensacola’s favorite food trucks will also be on site serving up tasty fare, including Joe’s Caribe, Arepas Latin Food and Farmhouse

Catering. Admission includes a handmade artisan glass or ceramic cup, live entertainment and two complimentary craft beers (or wine) for adults, ages 21 and older. There are limited quantities of collectible glasses and cups available, so be sure to arrive early to pick out your favorite. Tickets are $25 each for FCAC members and $35 for non-members. Prepaid Early Bird tickets are on sale now and grant you early access to the event at 5:30 pm. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35 each, providing you access to the event starting at 6 pm. For tickets and event information, visit firstcityart.org.

URBAN ART VISITED POP-UP SHOW

WHEN: May 19 & 20

WHERE: Framing by Design, 4718 North W St., Pensacola

MONSTER JAM

WHEN: May 13 & 14

The Paint Out Group will host a special pop-up show, Urban Art Visited, on May 19 from 4 pm to 8 pm and May 20 from 10 am to 3 pm at their working studio space located in Framing by Design in Pensacola. Inspired by some of the famous street artists over the past eight decades, the show will highlight different forms of street art created on unconventional surfaces. Each of the pieces on display will depict different forms of urban, street, graffiti and whimsical art. The Paint Out Group is comprised of 16 local artists who have been painting together on a monthly basis since 2018. Each of the group’s artists have been painting for decades, with many of its members having won numerous regional and national awards.

WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St., Pensacola

The most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today returns to Pensacola for a high-octane weekend at Pensacola Bay Center on May 13 and 14. Featuring the ultimate mix of high-flying action and four-wheel excitement.he event features 12,000-pound monster trucks controlled by trained drivers, who perform backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and race up to 70 miles per hour. The event features a variety of skilled athletes battling for the event championship in a series of freestyle, skills and racing competitions. Pit Parties will take place before each of the events, where fans will have a chance to see the Monster Trucks up close and get autographs and pictures with some of their favorite drivers. Tickets start at $20 (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased online through ticketmaster.com.

Featured artists include: Patricia O’Neal, Kathy Breazeale, Pat Page, Jennifer Fleming, Mailande Turner, Darlene Homrighausen, Linda Doss, Loraine Flatt, Tamara Fischbeck, Ruth Gordon, Mary Anne Staples, Joan Overton, Bev Elliot, Billie Bailey, Jan Kurtz and Diane Goeller. Urban Art Visited will serve as the Paint Out Group’s sixth public show. The show is free and open to the public.

WONDERS ODDITIES EXPO

WHEN: May 20 & 21

WHERE: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola

Wonders Oddities is a traveling Expo that operates in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Florida and draws together talented artists, purveyors of all curiosities and avant garde performers from across the country. Because it’s only human to be curious about the strange and unexplained, Wonder Oddities hosts numerous expos in cities across the region to showcase the mystical collections, strange wares and works of its talented artists and vendors. Check out the Wonder Oddities Expo May 20-21 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $10 each. For complete event details and vendor information, visit wondersoddidtyexpo.com.

What We’re Listening to This Month

by Morgan Cole

My Favorite Murder

True crime and comedy may not seem like a natural fit, but this hit podcast proves that these two things can be tastefully mixed to make for a compelling listening experience. On the show, co-hosts and friends Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark take turns telling the chilling stories of real-world crimes. The duo’s personalities and ability to find humor in their stories while still honoring the victims is really what has turned the podcast into a sensation. Each week, a new episode is released, in which the two tell each other their favorite tales of real murder and hear hometown crime stories from friends and fans. Karen and Georgia have the ability to thoughtfully mix their stories of true crime and murder with their own unique brand of sass, positivity and wit. Throughout the show, Karen and Georgia pair serious moments and topics with more light-hearted discussion and outlook making it appealing to listen to, no matter what type of mood you’re in. Since it first aired in January 2016, the show has broken global download records and sparked an enthusiastic and dedicated community of listeners, aka Murderinos. Listen to new episodes of My Favorite Murder each week on Wondery, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

by Darien Hardy by Nicole Willis

This Past Weekend

If there’s one thing Theo Von knows how to do, it’s tell any story–simple or crazy–in an absolutely hilarious fashion. Consistently ranking high in Spotify’s top comedy podcast charts, This Past Weekend is a long-form podcast hosted by stand-up comedian Theo Von. Von brings his comedic storytelling from his standup sets into the more relaxed environment of video podcasting. This Past Weekend primarily consists of storytelling either by Von or one of his special guests, answering fan messages and talking about current events. In most episodes, Von is joined by a featured guest. Von opens the conversation to just about any type of listener and has previously featured special guests from a variety of different backgrounds. Some of the notable guests previously featured on the show include podcaster Joe Rogan, comedian John Mulaney, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and country music artist Morgan Wallen. Von interviews his guests and uses observational comedy to riff off of their responses in his own unique and hilarious way. Occasionally, Von will also do a solo episode where he shares his personal stories or his thoughts on current events or specific topics, all with his own comedic twist of course. Von’s effortless humor and excellent storytelling abilities make This Past Weekend an excellent listen for just about anyone looking for a good laugh.

Funny Cuz It’s True

When did Elyse Myers realize ADHD was her secret superpower? How about when she decided she was definitely not a pop star? Great question, and Elyse would love to tell you the answers to these questions and more on her podcast Funny Cuz It’s True. With a creative use of emojis, and a wealth of embarrassing, but oh so relatable stories — including being forced to buy one hundred tacos on a date — Elyse built her TikTok reputation as “the internet’s best friend,” and she brings her distinguished style from her TikToks to the audio landscape.

On her podcast each week, Elyse sits down for conversations with her favorite creators and comedians, along with some good friends, to learn the not-so-funny stories that become funny over time. Elyse yearns to know how these famous, fantastic and fabulous creatives handled these challenging or awkward situations and learned to laugh about it years later. This podcast is not just a roundup of celebrity gossip, rather it’s an attempt to bring forth the unspoken and mundane events in the lives of media moguls. Her podcast is the space where everyone else in the world can relate and find commonality and hope with their favorite celebrities.

MAY COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Blue

Wahoos Schedule

May Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium

For more information and tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola

May 2 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 3 at 11:00 am - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 4 at 6:35 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 5 at 6:35 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 6 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 7 at 4:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

May 16 at 6:35 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

May 17 at 6:35 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

May 18 at 6:35 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

May 19 at 6:35 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

May 20 at 6:05 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

May 21 at 4:05 pm - Tennessee Smokies vs Blue Wahoos

Blue Angels Practice Dates

........ May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 & 31

The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola select days throughout the year. Department of Defense identification card holders and their guests (active duty service members, retirees, and their families) can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to watch the Blue Angels pratice. The gates will open at 9:30 am. The practice flight demonstrations can also be viewed outside of NAS Pensacola including Fort Pickens, boat cruises, and various points throughout downtown. The Blue Angels will take off around 10:30 am and the practices last for about 55 minutes. Practice schedules are subject to change.

Perfect Plain’s May the 4th Be With You

. May 4

Join Perfect Plain for Star Wars day! Enjoy Star Wars-themed decor and cocktails, trivia, costumes, music and movies playing all night long. Perfect Plain’s 6th annual “May the 4th Be With You” Star Wars day celebration is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm and run until midnight. Perfect Plain Brewing Co. is located at 50 E Garden Street. For more information, visit perfectplain.com.

Beachbilly Lifestyle Perdido Key Music Festival

. May 6 & 7

The 2023 Perdido Key Music Festival will be held on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7. This annual event is very special since all of the festival proceeds go to charity; this year’s donations will go to various causes of the Beachbilly Lifestyle Charity Foundation, the Frank Brown Music Foundation and the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. There will be a variety of music, food trucks, raffles and silent auctions. The festival will be hosted at the Playa del Rio RV Resort located at 16990 Perdido Key Drive in Perdido Key. The event will run from 1 pm to 10 pm on Saturday May 6 and 12 pm to 10:30 pm on Sunday May 7. For more information, visit perdidokeymusicfestival.com.

Gulf Coast Mom and Me Spa Day and Mothers’ Day Expo

Monster Jam at the Bay Center

The most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today returns to Pensacola for a high-octane weekend at Pensacola Bay Center. Featuring the ultimate mix of high-flying action and four-wheel excitement, Monster Jam is sure to bring a thrill. Showtimes are at 1 pm and 7 pm on Saturday May 13, and 1 pm on Sunday May 14. The Pensacola Bay Center is located downtown at 201 E Gregory Street. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Nebula of Georgia @ PLT

May 19-27

A dramedy written and directed by Joe Nierle, this story of a family in Georgia is chock full of southernisms and great characters. When a wayward daughter comes home for a funeral, her chilly reception by her family has nothing to do with the sweltering house and everything to do with the family secret that comes to light. Nebula of Georgia will have several showtimes from May 19 to 27. The Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 South Jefferson Street. For tickets, showtimes and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Post Pluto @ Vinyl Music Hall

May 20

Angel Music, Brush and Sketch, Making Waves Music Therapy, Pensacola MESS Hall and West Florida Public Libraries. The event is hosted at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre located at 118 South Palafox Place. Doors open at 9 am and the event begins at 10 am. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

The Expendables @ Vinyl Music Hall

May 28

The Expendables started their nearly 25-year career as a spirited party band in high school performing surf-rock covers for birthdays and family gatherings. A quarter-century later, these elementary school buddies have forged a unique sound born in the laid-back beach life in their hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. The Expendables are bringing their infectious hybrid of ska, surfrock, punk, reggae and metal to the Vinyl Music Hall this May. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. Vinyl Music Hall is located at 2 S Palafox Street. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

Brit Floyd 50 Years of Dark Side @ Saenger Theatre

June 1

May 13

The Gulf Coast Mom and Me Spa Day and Mothers’ Day Expo is the ultimate ladies’ day out. Mothers and daughters can enjoy a full day of rejuvenation and refreshment while supporting a good cause. Admission is free, but a percentage of the event sales will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida. At the event, there will be a variety of vendors selling everything from skincare and wellness, to foods and desserts. There will also be opportunities for massages, hairstyling, makeovers and other spa and wellness services. The event begins at 10 am and runs until 6 pm. The expo will be hosted at Seville Quarter, located at 130 E Government Street. For more information, visit momdayoutexpo.com.

Post Pluto is a five-piece progressive rock and funk band from Pensacola, Florida that experiments with many different genres, styles and improvisational attitudes in their music. This fresh and fearless approach has allowed them to storm the festival and jam scenes over the years. Since the band’s inception in 2013, Post Pluto has created a reputation for their dynamic high-energy shows, unexpected covers, extended jams, and a packed dance floors. The group is bringing their “10 Trips Around The Sun” 10 year anniversary show to the Vinyl Music Hall. They will be joined by special guests Ben Loftin & The Family. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. Vinyl Music Hall is located at 2 S Palafox Street. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

Tchaikovsky Discovers America

May 20

Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for a family-friendly event featuring a theatrical concert designed especially for young audiences and their grownups followed by hands-on musical activities! Based on a momentous historical event, Tchaikovsky Discovers America tells of the great composer’s arrival in New York for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891 and his trip to Niagara Falls. After the concert, join us for an instrument petting zoo with our musicians and a variety of hands-on activities with Blues

Brit Floyd returns to the stage in 2023 to perform a brand-new production celebrating 50 years of the ground-breaking musical masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon. The over 2 and a half hour set list will include iconic songs from this album, as well as other highlights from Pink Floyd’s magnificent catalog of albums, including tracks from The Wall, Wish You Were Here, Animals and more. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. VIP tickets are available. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

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MAY 2023 | 23

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND

spiring

Capt.

David Pavlik relieved Capt. Willie Brisbane as commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) during a change of command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on April 14.

able.” Brisbane also acknowledged many people within the organization who contributed to the command’s success. “As I end this tour, I give my thanks to all of those who have contributed to get us where we are today,” Brisbane said. “I am so proud to have been a part of such a high-performing team and an incredible organization.” After assuming command of NETPDC, Pavlik, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, spoke of his excitement in taking command of NETPDC. “I am proud and excited to join the NETPDC team and look forward to working with this great staff of professionals,” Pavlik said. “It’s an honor to support our Sailors around the world by contributing to NETPDC’s vital mission in any way I can.” Pavlik, who most recently served as the Executive Assistant to the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, will become NETPDC’s 22nd commanding officer. As part of the MyNavy HR Force Development team, NETPDC provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education department, the Navy Advancement Center and the Resources Management Department. For more information on NETPDC, visit netc. navy.mil/NETPDC.